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His friendship with Roger Fry [presumably written to aid Virginia with her 'Life' of Fry; see also 17/85 and 17/97] in the days when they lived together at 29 Beaufort St between April or May 1895 and the autumn of 1896, when Roger married and Bob moved to Haslemere. Saw little of him before then, and 'knew next to nothing of art and artists', but 'no one could have been kinder in the way he introduced [Bob] to his world', or 'more patient of [Bob's] ignorance'. He was often busy with Extension Lectures on Italian art, and as illustration had 'already collected a great number of photographs' which was much harder then; thinks he had already succeeded D. S. MacColl as the "Athenaeum" magazine's art critic ; he did not therefore have as much time as he wished for painting, but 'worked very rapidly' when he could. He was painting 'several of his best early landscapes' and a few 'perhaps not very successful portraits'. One was of Mrs Widdrington, the 'sister [sic: actually mother] of Sir Edward Grey's wife [Frances]', who was a 'great friend' of Roger's and the mother of Ida Widdrington; Roger had been 'very much in love' with Ida not long before, but 'perhaps wisely, she would not marry him. She was a very vital and amusing girl, who loved hunting, farming and acting' and she and her mother remained friends with Roger for years. After that Roger 'had fallen very much in love, and none too happily, with Kate Kinsella (now Kate Presbitero)'; Bob thinks she 'treated him rather cruelly, not wanting to give him up altogether, and luring him back to her from time to time'. 'Fortunately (or perhaps in the end unfortunately) [because of her mental health problems]' he got to know Helen Coombe while he was living with Bob, and they fell in love with each other. Roger's parents 'strongly disapproved of his becoming an artist' - he told Bob that they had offered him a hundred pounds extra a year 'if he would promise never to paint from the nude', which he 'naturally refused' - and this made him fear they would not be pleased by his choice of wife, so he told them nothing about Helen 'for a long time...' [the rest of the draft is missing].

G[ran]d Hotel Trinacria, Palermo. - Was fortunate that he received a telegram saying the baby [Julian] had recovered before any letter on the subject; is very sorry that Bessie and Bob had such anxiety, and hopes that all is well now. Arrived here last night, and likes it as much as he hates Naples. is reading [George Meredith's] "Rhoda Fleming" again, and now agrees with Bob about its 'inferiority', and that it is 'melodramatic' and beneath the writer; feels that the 'alleged "illegitimate-son-of-Ld-Lytton element"' which gives 'a necessary spice' to most of Meredith's works here completely takes over. It is 'no use writing or even talking' about politics; hopes 'God will inspire our leaders to retrieve the situation that some insane Devil has induced them to throw away'. Necessary to be loyal, so 'the less said the better'. Can 'imagine Bertie [Russell] talking on the subject of Sir E[dward] Grey!!'. Met a 'very nice Oxford, Balliol Don' at Naples, not A.L. [Arthur Lionel] but J.A. [John Alexander] Smith; George thought him a good philosopher and a 'very good man'. He admired Bertie [Russell], and discussed [Henry] Sidgwick and McTaggart 'excellently and critically. George expects 'there are good things about Oxford': there are 'a few great philosophers' at Cambridge, while at Oxford 'the young men are taught a little philosophy', this is 'perhaps not a bad division of labour'.

Reggio Calabria. - Thanks Bob for his letter. As in the past, is 'greatly troubled about the Finns' [regarding Russification and the reduction of autonomy in the Grand Duchy]. Saw [Julio?] Reuter around the time of the [Sir Frederick] Pollock-[John] Westlake circular; they agreed then it would be worse than useless for the '[Arthur] Ponsonby lot' to do more than publishing the Parliamentary [Russian] Committee's pamphlet ["The Crisis in Finland", 1909]. George feels that perhaps now 'we, or one of us, ought to do more'; will turn his attention to this as soon as he gets to town. Of course they 'cannot save the Finns', only Grey [the Foreign Secretary] could make any difference, but he will not. This is 'the worst thing since the 2nd partition of Poland'. Notes in a postscript that he is glad to hear such good news of Julian. Will reach London on the 5th.

8 letters and 2 fragments of letters, from:

• Ramsay Macdonald, 6 Mar. 1914
• James Balfour, 8 Jan. 1920
• Lord Haldane, 4 May 1924
• E. Rutherford, 20 June 1925, accepting congratulations for his Order of Merit
• Albert, the future George VI, 26 Apr. 1926, accepting congratulations on the birth of his daughter Elizabeth
• Lord Cecil, 9 Sept. 1927
• Stanley Baldwin, 30 May 1930
• Lord Halifax, 8 Jan. 1941, will take a letter to Butler's brother, will be happy to see one of the family 'after working with Rab so long'
• two fragments signed by Stanley Baldwin and Lord Grey

18 Mansfield Street, Portland Place, W.—Is unhappy at having to travel alone, and wonders whether she should have stayed. ‘Norah was a bore but I got some dogs and a nicer hack.’ Refers apologetically to her behaviour towards him.

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18 Mansfield Street, Portland Place, W.

Dont be rusty about your feast or fast!

Ought I to have stayed? I might I suppose, but you might also have chucked it, but you were quite right not to, tho’ I feel rather moped at this infernal journey alone.

Try & come early.

Norah was a bore but I got some dogs and a nicer hack so that’s to the good. Tell Sir E {1} I shall love to lunch on Monday.

I told Katharine I’d been rather bloody to you and she was much concerned and said I was a bitch. I daresay she’s right.

Venetia

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{1} Sir Edward Grey?

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - A letter from Bob has come, with news about his job as librarian [with the Friends War Victims Relief Committee]; seems sensible and pleases him; she thinks he will be 'very useful'. Good to hear that Elizabeth has found interesting work; had thought she might have found something with the Friends and spent the winter in Paris, but then there is Julian. He will learn self-control, and that he cannot have 'things always the same'. Good that Mrs Fish [headmistress of Dunhurst] takes an interest in him; Elizabeth will be very glad to see him. Kitty's behaviour is 'most pleasant'. Very good that Mrs Tovey is back with her husband; hopes it is a 'real cure'. The village has been busy; the 'Sayle' was very successful. Yesterday Meta Hearn was married to a young farmer; went to see the presents and meet the family; Hearn is very glad it is over. Must have been exciting to get into Edward Grey's 'big meeting'; has read the speech, and heard he spoke 'quite vigorously'; he is 'nearly blind, but in much better health'. Thinks they will leave Wallington on 5 November, stopping a night in York.

Ewelme Down, Wallingford.—Is sorry he couldn't go to Penrhôs. Refers to his companions at Ewelme. Discusses Asquith’s speech on Home Rule, as well as the general political climate, and asks for Venetia’s views. Sends her a present.

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Transcript

Ewelme Down, Wallingford
April 14th 1912

My dear Venetia

I was so sorry that I could not come to Penrhos this week. It was most kind of your mother to ask me and even though I was engaged here, I believe I should have rushed to Wales if I had not had to be in London yesterday.

I like this place tremendously but I am not calling this a very good weekend. The Prime is not in the best of form yet, I’m afraid and it makes poor Margot just a little —. Violet has Cys and Bongie and I want to talk to you. So beware of next time we meet.

Home Rule (I wish you’d been there) was a great day. The Prime expounded with great vigour and often with a first class phrase a really good bill. It was delightful to find his voice was very strong and that he lasted without visible effort for two hours.

I dont think he was quite appealing enough, if I may make criticism.

It was not merely a licensing bill or a budget it was a transcendent constitutional reform, great than the Parliament Bill because irrevocable and final. It had been attacked in the abstract by a large number of people whose alternative was nothing, so it wanted commending not only in its provisions but in its principles. I suspect because he did not want to speak too long, and also because he was determined not to try to bend the bow of Ulysses he was determined in his conciseness. And of course of its kind it was wonderful, never faltering in its strength, never lacking in its courage and above all never flickering in its dignity.

And there was the usual display of Conservative littleness, of meanness, of caddishness and rather a poor performance of Carsons. Both Redmund and Macdonald were good and so in his sincere stupid way was Capt. Craig.

For myself I feel that Home Rule is the most unarguable proposition in politics. For Imperial and for Irish reasons its not only inevitable but its opposition cannot be based on logic. Nevertheless in application like so many other unarguable axioms its very very difficult and all sorts of criticisms will be levelled at the workmanship.

So that what with an overloaded programme and no signs of House of Lords reform, the political horizon is by no means rosy. Edward Grey is very gloomily prophesying opposition before the end of the year because he predicts more strikes.

Dear Venetia, if you will do me the great favour of answering them, I should like you to tell me what you think about these things. You have a wonderful faculty of producing from me frank expression of views without qualification. You have a power even at this most damnable distance of convincing me of clear vision and and† thought. But you are most frighteningly reserved about yourself. All self contained people are and the greater they are the more frightening it is. And asking isnt much good but I sometimes feel rather mournful when I reflect that the inner you is as hidden from me (except at moments oh so rare) as it was a year ago.

And now do you remember that I could not find a Xmas present for you and you were generous enough to say that I might give you one when I found one.

Well I couldnt so I had one made and its rather a failure in colour and weight. Nevertheless in principle it fulfilled all the conditions I postulated and if its not turned out as I had imagined it, its there and will reach you—together with the drawing from which it was designed tomorrow.

Yrs ever
Edwin S. Montagu

Please forgive this letter being hypercritical, boring and I fear a little impertinent.

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† Sic.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to hear [see 46/255] about Robert's visit from Aunt Annie [Philips], and that he has read [Lucian's] "Alexander [Pseudomantis]" and "De Mercede conductis [On Salaried Posts in Great Houses: see 12/314]"; the latter seems to throw more light on the Roman banquet than Petronius, Horace, or Juvenal. Encloses a review which must be read carefully 'to bring out the full asininity of the author who is the subject of it [whose] book passed in folly and conceit anything conceivable'. Asks for the review to be returned, along with Rosebery's letter; does not think any man, even Edward Grey, has been 'more cruelly tried and bereaved'.

Maid’s Head Hotel, Norwich.—Beb and Bongie have arrived. Refers to the the news from Belfast [of Churchill’s speech there], and reflects on his own oratorical skills. Praises Churchill’s demeanour. The Home Rule Bill will, he thinks, be ‘all right’, but it may cause trouble in Ulster. He enjoyed their lunch together yesterday.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Thanks Robert for having taken so much trouble; wanted to show George Russell that he had looked into his question [about whether Macaulay was first to use 'tact' for a moral quality, see 12/273] properly, and has sent him Robert's letter. Encloses a cutting showing where Macaulay used 'cabful'; cannot yet identify the other quotation. [Walter] Runciman, his wife, and Edward Grey drove over yesterday for the day. Grey is 'tranquil and not unhappy in his retirement'; has had great trials, including the 'violent deaths of such a wife, and such a brother', his ill health, failing eyesight, and the destruction by fire of the house he loved; he is now 'most eager about books'

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Heard the news of the sale of the picture [see 12/26] with mixed feelings: it 'confirmed one's opinions of Mr Berenson's judgement' and revived feelings of regret', but on the other hand they feared the actual picture was too small for their purpose. Much obliged to Berenson and Robert for the trouble taken. Charles has made his maiden speech [in the House of Commons] which was well-received; even the "Times" was 'mollified and interested'. Charles 'has the instinct of the place', as could be noticed in 'Edward Grey's early performances'.

Says that reading Henry Sidgwick: a Memoir has made her look forward to her journeys to and from London in the train, and that it is as if she were living in Henry's company again. Wishes that she could talk to him again , and claims that a conversation with him was always 'such very special pleasure and interest....' States that the part of the book that interested her most were the earlier years of the diary. Expresses the wish to see Nora again, and asks if she will give them 'the chance of a visit again' when she can. Reports that she has been very busy but quite well. States that the death of Lady Grey has been a very great sorrow, and that she has spent much time with Lord Grey since the death, both in Northern Ireland and in London.

2, Cheyne Gardens, S.W. - Apologises for writing Bob 'argumentative letter, not a very good one' [14/204]. Restates his position in brief: thinks [Edward] Grey and [Herbert] Asquith secretly committing Britain years ago to support of France 'was very bad indeed', but that the German invasion of Belgium made it 'both just and necessary' to fight; the destruction of Louvain [Leuven] 'greatly increases [his] desire to prevent the Germans becoming the overlords of Western Europe'. Is not now going to Serbia, as the route against France is now dangerous, and another Balkan war is threatened, may go later if things improve.

Julian looks 'well and jolly'; envies children, as they think very little about the war, which is ''the shipwreck of civilisation'.

Since he thinks that George is 'not quite in sympathy with the views which many of our friends hold' about current events, he is setting out 'the main reasons for taking a strong line' against the Cabinet's past and present actions, and he fears also its future ones. Has just had an argument with [Maurice] Amos, whose 'vision and perspective' seem to be ‘distorted’. He himself believes that 'war between civilized people is absolute insanity, and nothing else'; the Balkans may be 'another matter' as 'there probably people like fighting and have less to lose'. Completely agrees with the passage in [Thomas] Carlyle's "Sartor [Resartus": 'What, speaking in quite unofficial language, is the net purport and upshot of war...?''], but people like Amos, 'nearly all the nice, intelligent, reasonably peaceable, anything but brutal people' do not realise it, so do not see 'the whole foreign-politics, diplomacy, honour of the nation etc game' as a 'colossal system of humbug [and] wickedness'. A few people realises, and express themselves 'with passion like [Bertrand] Russell, or more calmly like Charles'.

Belgium is the 'stumbling block' for many good people, including their father; Bob thinks that 'whatever the fault of Germany', it is clear that Britain is 'directly responsible for the destruction of Belgium', since the Cabinet for selfish reasons 'encouraged the Belgians in the attempt to keep the Germans out'; as Charles says, if the concern for Belgium had been real the advice should have been 'to let the Germans through under protest'. Believes that Germany views itself as fighting for its existence against Russia, and therefore against France, which the British, 'who bombarded Copenhagen [in 1807] should understand'; expects the Germans are right that the France would have tried to invade through Belgium if they had had time, which the British would not have prevented. Thinks Britain had no right to go to war for Belgium, and that it was used as a last moment excuse 'to make this unrighteous war of diplomatic national hatred into a "righteous" war for a small oppressed people". Having talked to people like Amos and [Bernard] Berenson he detects a 'vague indefinable suspicion and (though it is not usually admitted) dislike and even hatred of Germany and Germans', with nobody able to say what the Germans were going to do against Britain or France [before the acceleration of hostilities]; once France committed the 'folly' of binding themselves to Russia, he grants that they had 'some reason to be afraid', but Britain had 'no such cause'.

Perhaps 'any other cabinet minister would have been as bad' as [Sir Edward] Grey, but it is through trusting him and the 'foreign office fools... the least trustworthy people in the world' that Britain allied themselves with France rather than Germany. Cannot feel calm about Britain's 'subservience to Russia'; sees 'reptiles like Wells defend Russian tyranny now' and supposes that the Czar is now going to be a 'national hero'; it was he who 'directly caused the war by his mobilisation'. Feels that if Germany was a 'menace to European civilisation' so was France, or Britain; Russia is another matter, and one which George has himself warned about; wonders how he, as a historian, can believe that Germany’s actions do not stem from ‘arrogance, or… desire for hegemony’, but from ‘fear of Russia, and therefore of Russia’s friends’; courage is ‘the last thing’ George lacks, so he must be following ‘some scruple of conscience’. He himself has not trained himself to ‘write effectively’, except in verse, but regrets that George, ‘a writer as influential as any in the country’, after beginning so well, hesitates when he could be leading opinion to the good.
Recognises that ‘blame must be distributed all round’, but while he is inclined to criticise Russia more heavily and George Germany, he sees it as their ‘absolute duty to put all the weight of blame earned by our country upon her, as outspokenly and fearlessly as possible’ and to work for the future, as Charles and others are doing.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Read Robert's letter to Caroline [16/6] with great interest; glad he is sailing with the Pentlands; remembers travelling to Southampton in early 1859 with his father, who was 'leaving England on the same errand' [going out as Governor of Madras like Lord Pentland]; comments on his father's 'avoidable catastrophe'. They will take good care of Elizabeth and Julian when Robert is away. Interested to hear about the Indian poet [Rabindranath Tagore]; wonders whether his plays are on modern themes. Pepys made a note about deciding a bet between two of his friends on whether a tragedy needed to be true; Pepys thought not and Dr Fuller agreed with him. He and Charles shot a hundred and one rabbits one morning recently, round Sir E[dward] Grey's covers.

Stocks Cottage, Tring. - Sweet of Bessie to write about the babies and their whooping cough; they have it 'quite slightly' and the doctor thinks it will last no longer than three months so she and George still hope to get to Wallington, probably towards the end of August. They are going to Robin Ghyll a week on Monday; expects the air there will do the children good. It is a 'foul disease'; 'maddening' that there is nothing to be done to help the children while they have a coughing fit, but at least they do not 'dread the next fit' as an adult would; she has a 'cressoline lamp [sic: cresolene]' which seems to be the one thing the doctors believe helps. Sorry Bessie is worried about Paul; thinks she remembers Mary losing weight in her first six months 'trotting around'; not surprising that with teething and hot weather Paul has too. Bessie's three weeks alone with him must be tiring; hopes she is 'managing not to lift him' [due to her pregnancy?] but knows that must be hard.

She and George are going to have a third child; has only been sure for about ten days; has not even told her parents or Caroline yet, but could not write to Bessie without mentioning it; at present it is 'called Janetina'. They are in the train going to see the Chelsea Pageant and dine with Sir Edward Grey; expects he is being 'extra nice to George because he doesn't want any more inconvenient letters in the "Times" about Russian Exiles!' [cf. perhaps George's letter "Personal Liberty In Russia", "Times" (London, England), Jun 23, 1908; pg. 13; Issue 38680]. Janet can 'still be quite dissipated', and has not yet had to have her evening dresses let out'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Julian is very well; thinks the nurse is very good with him. The Dalrymples will be coming just as Elizabeth returns; on Wednesday the Parsons and 'young Hugh Smith' are staying the night, and go on 28 November; Mrs Cookson and Miss Pease will visit at the beginning of December. After the Christmas parties the following week, they will go to London on 17 or 18 December and stop a day on the way to Welcombe; thinks Julian had better go straight through with the servants. They have had a very interesting letter from Robert about the [Indian] 'cave temples'. Remembers that the Stows [?] used to come as boys to Wallington sometimes. There was a 'northern Area WLA [Women's Liberal Association]' meeting at Alnwick on Saturday; Sir E[dward] Grey could not come so Charlie spoke instead; Dorothy Howard spoke, and Mary presided. Has been 'much agitated about politics'.

Harnham, Monument Green, Weybridge. - On the question of finding work for [Lascelles] Abercrombie: U. Ext. [University Extension] unlikely to be helpful as, except for some 'sensible' people such as Miss Partridge at Ashtead, there is a prejudice against those who did not go to Oxford or Cambridge. Thinks it would be best to recommend Abercrombie to Dr Roberts, who runs the London University Extension board. If Abercrombie sends Forster a syllabus, he will mention him to Miss Partridge (Ashtead is a London centre). Discusses fees. Abercrombie knows Miss Embleton, a friend of Roberts. Asks whether 'the Humphs' [?] can get him something at "The Times". Has dined with Sir Edward Grey, who was 'charming and jolly,' but he suspects Grey would like neither his books nor himself if he knew them better; was taken by the Francis Aclands; likes Mrs Acland very much. Is reading [Ferdinand] Gregorovius.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - They can put Bob up after 12 December; before then they have no room because of evacuees, though they would love to give Bob 'a meal or meals'. Will order the "Abinger Chronicle'. Liked "Sulla" in the plays [second volume of Bob's "Collected Works"] which he had not read before.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Has seen [Sydney] Roberts [at the Cambridge University Press], who would like to hear Bob's proposals as long as he is ready to pay for printing himself. The Press cannot take on financial risks, but are carrying on otherwise as usual, though cannot make promises on publication dates due to current and possible future staff reductions. Roberts likes printing for Bob, and his books too. Sometimes agrees with Bob, rest of the time thinks it is 'no good breaking off now as [Germany] would only go for some other country, or prepare a vast fleet of submarines against us'. Is ' more inclined to think we ought not to have guaranteed Poland than that we can break off now', but has no definite opinion. Tends to think that the 'only chance for Europe including ourselves to escape utter ruin' would be for the U.S.A. to play a role in negotiating peace, but that this will not happen. Last thing Edward Grey said to George after the Nazi revolution, shortly before his death, was that he saw 'no hope in the world'; there is less now. George is partly detached, as 'the "world" that is threatened is not my world, which died years ago'; feels himself to be 'a mere survivor'.

11 Edwardes Square W.8. - 'Amalgamation' [the forming of the League of Nations Union] has been a great worry, but it is clearly necessary for the LNS [the League of Nations Society, of which Dickinson was a member. The 'other association' [the League of Free Nations Association] knows how to run propaganda campaigns, and he thinks in general their aims are the same; certainly Murray and Wells want the same, even McCurdy. Their literature is bad, and their policy of the 'League now' has been turned down by Wilson and Grey, who is to be the Union's president and said the right thing on almost every point. Hopes Bessie will not be too suspicious about the amalgamation, though he understands her fears. Is still playing the [chess] game with Bob, who seems very happy. Asks if she is staying on at the Shiffolds. Is glad Julian is happy, but fears she will be lonely. Almost dares hope for the end [of the war].

Admiralty, Whitehall.—This weekend has made it difficult for her to continue writing to the Prime Minister as though nothing had happened, but she is anxious to keep them (Montagu and Asquith) both happy. Refers to her plan to go to Serbia. Suggests arrangements for meeting.

(Dated Sunday.)

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Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire
Sunday.

My darling (you’ll think this I suppose merely a sign that I’m an accommodating woman & ready to comply in small things if it makes you happier) What can I say to you after this short time that you’ve been gone. That I want you back fearfully. Yes I do. And I havent in my time written this to Bongie, the P.M. Raymond and half a dozen others. I suppose it ought not to be necessary for me even to have to affirm this, but I cant help feeling that this idea is often cross-ing your mind, you’ve said it so often, & I’ve always laughed at it as a joke and not minded you thinking it, but I do now.

I know quite well that I want you back again, and I’m only afraid that this feeling will pass. Do you understand me at all. I also know that this Sunday has made it very difficult for me to go on writing to the P.M as tho’ nothing had happened. Darling what am I to do, obviously what I ought to do would be to try & carry on as I’ve been doing, you’ve both been fairly happy under that régime, and as there can be no hard and fast rule of right & wrong and as I feel none of that that people call duty towards themselves, that would be the simplest plan. But are you both happy and can I make you so if I’m not and should I be now?

Then again when to tell him. Just before Newcastle {1}, oh no not then, then just after something else will turn up & if I’m ready to tell him then you (who are far the fonder of him of us two) will have scruples, & so we shall go on till in a short time you’ll loathe me. Why cant I marry you & yet go on making him happy, but you’d neither of you think that fun & I suppose my suggesting it or thinking it possible shows to you how peculiar I am emotionally. I wish to God I’d got a really well defined idea of right & wrong, but nothing that one does to oneself seems wrong and thats how one gets into so infernal a tangle.

You cant help me no one can and if I go to Servia its only really shifting the whole responsibility & giving up.

My very dearest I want so much to see you, I’m rather frightened about what I feel, first lest it shouldnt last, & secondly lest yours shouldnt.

Write to me and say you are coming next Sunday. I want you fearfully.
I am so perplexed & wretched, I want so much to be happy and yet not to make anyone else unhappy. You made everything seem so simple, but now you are gone its as tangled as ever.

Go on loving me & above all make me love you. Perhaps Wednesday may see me in London, but I count on you Friday & we’ll have no nonsense about dinner with Sir E Grey.

Yes you shall you shall dine with him just the same.

Darling I think I love you.

Venetia

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{1} Asquith was to address a meeting of munitions workers at Newcastle on the 20th.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Has received his father's letter [12/89] and is sorry to have annoyed him by not writing more often; this is 'not through indifference', and he hopes in future to write more regularly. He and Bessie go abroad next Tuesday, and hope to reach Aulla [home of Aubrey and Lina Waterfield] on Thursday; hopes by then Campbell-Bannerman will have formed his cabinet. The Times's 'assertion about Sir Edward Grey' yesterday caused great alarm, but so far it seems unfounded. If they had indeed failed to agree, someone would be much to blame, but Robert thought George was being 'unduly pessimistic'; he thought if there had been a split nobody but 'strong radicals would vote against Protection' and the election would be a 'fiasco' for the Liberals. Robert doubts that 'principles are not just now more important than men in most minds'. Quotes [from Julius Caesar Act 4, Scene 3, 2115-2132], with Grey in Cassius' place, Campbell-Bannerman playing Brutus, and the Times the Poet.

He and Bessie are both well, though have had bad colds. Has sent the first act of their translation of Vondel's Lucifer to the Independent [Review]; George and Dickinson 'seem to like it' so he hopes they might print it; there is more of the translation, but the first act stands well alone. George, Janet, and Mary seem well. Sends love to his mother.

(London Hospital, Whitechapel?)—Is unable to see him this afternoon, as her mother is in London. Defends herself against his criticisms. She has only three more weeks left (at the hospital). Yesterday she went for a drive with Bongie; she supposes Montagu was with Edward Grey.

(Dated Monday.)

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Monday

Alas! I cant manage this afternoon as Mother has come to London & I have to go out with her. I should have liked to have seen you, you wrote me rather a crusty letter {1} which you sent by Bongie, its rather hard to spend 2 whole days unable to see a real human being (Friday I never went out & Saturday only till 11.A.M.) from “bitter constraint & sad occasion drear” {2} & then to be cursed for it. But Wednesday I’ll come to tea at 4.30. I’ve not heard from old Kath, she has behaved vilely to me.

Only 3 more weeks to day. 21 days. Not so very long is it. One would stand anything for only that time, & besides I again dont much mind it.

What a glorious day yesterday. Bong & I drove along Chelsea Embankment, I suppose you were walking with E. Grey.

Yrs
Venetia

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Probably written at the London Hospital, Whitechapel.

{1} MONT II B1/89, dated 14 March.

{2} A slight misquotation from Milton’s ‘Lycidas’. Cf. MONT II A1/64.